BAGHDAD, Iraq - A senior Shiite cleric said Wednesday that Iraq's government has opened indirect communications with factions in the Sunni Arab-dominated insurgency and is trying to persuade them to lay down their arms and return to Iraq's political fold.
Hummam Hammoudi, chairman of a committee named by the National Assembly to draw up Iraq's constitution, also said Sunni leaders have been given until June 15 to select 13 representatives to join the panel's work.
Experts have long maintained it will be difficult to defeat the insurgency with military means alone. They stress the need for Sunni Arab participation in the political system, adequate reconstruction funds and job creation as key to weakening support for the rebels.
"Some informal and limited contacts have been established with parties that we label as 'resistance,' so they can contribute to the drafting of the constitution," said Hammoudi, a senior member of Iraq's largest Shiite political party.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/breaking_news/11789943.htm
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
